ExpiredVirtual Workshop: The Importance of Diversity in Children’s Literature

BIO: Cassidy has spent the last decade working in various settings and organizations as an educator and Librarian. Her jobs have included: working in school, non-profit, and public libraries, teaching ESL, tutoring students grade K-12, and as an ECE-A with preschool and after school ages. Cassidy is always curious and loves learning and sharing her knowledge with others. She also loves her family, cats and honeybees. When she isn’t in the Library at WELL., you can find her in her backyard tending bees or on a long walk in the woods. Originally from the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Cassidy has lived, worked, and learned on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples including the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil Waututh, and Qayqayt First Nation for the past 14 years.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Respectfully making visible and supporting children’s identities is an essential element in nurturing a positive sense of self for each child. How do the books and other materials you choose to share impact children’s sense of self identity and their relationship with others? In this workshop facilitated by one of our WELL Librarians, we will explore what diversity really means and why representation matters, types of representation in children’s literature and choosing books outside of our experiences and comfort zones.